Daniel Sturridge reckons he is showing Didier Drogba’s mental strength now he is a Liverpool regular.

The England international was a bit-part player at Manchester City and Chelsea, before his £12million January move to Anfield.

But his hat-trick in Sunday's win at Fulham means the 23-year-old has now scored 11 goals in 15 Liverpool appearances.

He is the fastest player to reach double figures in the Premier League for the Reds since Robbie Fowler and Fernando Torres.

And Sturridge, who was also kept out at Stamford Bridge by Torres, said he is now scoring because he has been given a chance to do so.

“At Chelsea, I didn’t play two games in a row as a striker,” he said. “I didn’t have an opportunity but that’s in the past for me now.

“I am a lot more peaceful and I’m playing with a clear mind.

“Before there were a lot of things going on and mentally it was hard for me. It’s difficult when you do well and then don’t play the next game as you feel, ‘What more can I do?’

“But I’m glad all that happened. God made that happen and showed me how I need to be strong mentally.

“Being strong mentally is the one thing that can separate you from anyone else.

“When I worked with Didier Drogba at Chelsea, the one strength he had above everybody was his mental strength.

“I learned a lot from working with him about what it takes to be a top player.

“Hopefully I’ll become one.”

Top Drog: Chelsea legend Drogba's self-belief was a lesson to Sturridge (Image: Reuters)

The striker, who played for Great Britain at last summer's Olympics, also insisted he was benefiting working with Ulsterman Rodgers.

“I am just relaxed and enjoying my football at the moment,” he said. “When you’ve got a manager who believes in you and gives you an opportunity, you just have to go out there and work as hard as you can.

Going for gold: Sturridge in Great Britain colours at the 2012 Olympics (Image: Michael Regan)

“God has given me a gift and now it’s down to me to do the hard work and show what I am capable of doing.

“I need to be dedicated to my job and not let myself, the manager or my family down. If I do that then hopefully my abilities will shine through.”

Having a ball: Hat-trick hero Sturridge with boss Rodgers at Fulham (Image: John Powell)

The former Blues striker Sturridge added he enjoyed the abuse he received at Craven Cottage.

“I love that. I hope the fans do it every game,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter what they say to me.

“I love the banter, it’s what I live for. So hopefully they’ll keep giving me stick!”

And with Stevie Gerrard and Luis Suarez out, Sturridge said he was relishing his partnership with Philippe Coutinho.

“It’s fantastic to be playing with someone of his calibre,” he said. “It’s good to have somebody around who is hungry. He has a lot to prove just like I have.

“We have both come from big clubs where we haven’t had an opportunity to play week in week out. We are both hungry to show everybody what we are capable of doing.

“I can’t praise him highly enough for what he’s shown. It’s very difficult to do what he has done in such a short space of time.

Pass master: Coutinho's set up plenty of chances for Sturridge (Image: John Powell)

"I want to say thanks to Philippe because he has made my job very easy. He has been very unselfish. He has put me in many times and it’s just fantastic to work with him.”